OCDE Education in the News

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

OCDE NEWSROOM

Inside the Outdoors offers free water programs for Orange County students

Inside the Outdoors, OCDE’s popular environmental education program, is partnering with the Orange County Municipal Water District (MWDOC) to provide free water education programs to elementary, middle and high students across the county. Available for students in grades three through 12, the programs provide water-focused presentations, assemblies, activities and guided lessons that give youth the opportunity to identify local water supply sources and the importance of using water wisely.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/inside-the-outdoors-offers-free-water-programs-for-orange-county-students/

In the news: Fullerton sixth-grader takes passion for chemistry outside of the classroom

An 11-year-old from the Fullerton School District recently caught the attention of Spectrum News 1 for taking his passion for chemistry and sharing it with the world. Ethan Cho, sixth-grader at Laguna Road elementary school, created his own YouTube channel — Ethan’s Laboratory — where he and his younger brother, Ryan Cho, post chemistry lessons and experiments. “I’m hoping people can watch some of my videos and know that chemistry can be in a way kind of simple and it can be used for fun things,” Ethan told Spectrum News reporter Vicky Nguyen.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/in-the-news-fullerton-sixth-grader-takes-passion-for-chemistry-outside-of-the-classroom/

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Facing major campus disruption and firings, LAUSD extends staff vaccine deadline

The Los Angeles school district — confronted with widespread campus disruption and the firing of potentially thousands of unvaccinated teachers and other staff — has extended the looming deadline for all workers to be fully immunized for COVID-19.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-11/l-a-unified-extends-vaccine-deadline-for-employees

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

S.F. school district lost 3,500 students in two years, costing it $35 million

San Francisco schools have lost 3,499 students in the past two years, a drop in enrollment that could mean a $35 million hit in state funding, compounding an already dire financial future.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/The-S-F-school-district-has-lost-3-500-students-16525690.php

EDSOURCE

Ed100 program for student leaders goes year-round, invites new members and adult allies

Ed100, the nonprofit organization that educates California parents and students on state education policies, is turning a successful annual summer institute into a year-round program for high school students. And it’s inviting adult allies to help recruit students from every high school in California to participate in the program and become advocates for students.

https://edsource.org/news-updates#ed100-program-for-student-leaders-goes-year-round-invites-new-members-and-adult-allies

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE

Teacher shortage is making it hard for Montebello Unified to fulfill contract reducing class sizes

Nearly six weeks after agreeing to shrink class sizes — by as much as 11-3 students fewer per class in some elementary school grades — Montebello Unified School District isn’t able to hire enough new teachers. That means the district isn’t meeting the agreement signed with the teachers union.

https://www.sgvtribune.com/2021/10/11/teacher-shortage-is-making-it-hard-for-montebello-unified-to-fulfill-contract-reducing-class-sizes/

OTHER NEWS OUTLETS

Student survey: Depression, stress and anxiety leading barriers to learning as access to trusted adults drops

Nearly half of American students with learning barriers cited increasing amounts of stress, depression and anxiety as the leading obstacle in the 2020-21 school year. At the same time, students say their access to a trusted adult to discuss that stress decreased, according to a new national survey.

http://laschoolreport.com/student-survey-depression-stress-and-anxiety-leading-barriers-to-learning-as-access-to-trusted-adults-drops/

LAUSD extends deadline for employees to be COVID vaccinated

The Los Angeles Unified School District announced Monday it has extended Friday's deadline for its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, requiring now that workers receive at least one dose by Friday and a second by Nov. 15. Workers must have at least one dose by Friday to continue reporting to work, according to the district. If they do not receive their second dose by Nov. 15, they will be "subject to separation from district service."

https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/orange-county/coronavirus/2021/10/11/lausd-extends-deadline-for-employees-to-be-covid-vaccinated

Back at school, some districts struggle with attendance

A month into in-person learning for most California schools, some districts are reporting soaring rates of absenteeism due to stay-at-home quarantines, fear of COVID, and general disengagement from school.

https://www.montereyherald.com/2021/10/09/back-at-school-some-districts-struggle-with-attendance/

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